anyone want to know what the single best exercise is?(using your own bodyweight..no special equipment!) SQUATS!

Oh my gosh! It really puts you into the BURN mode. You're sore as H@LL the next day, but it's the only exercise where you work your ENTIRE lower body all at once. I've only lost 1 inch around my hips but hey...results are the best motivators!

I just enrolled at the Y.M.C.A. My toddler is free so she gets to do toddler activities for 90 minutes FREE while I go work out!

So for a week now, I've been on the weights first (on empty stomach) for 30 minutes (high reps for toning, heavier weights for legs) and then 1 hour on cardio (stair stepper) until I just about collapse!

I like the "zen" it puts me into when I start sweating. I put some really hard rock (Ozzy, Dep Leppard and such) for faster pacees, and softer music ( Carol King, some softer top 40 stuff) for the cool down.

I started at curves. Its a good place to go for a beginner, and full of large women. Now I am at the gym doing biking and rowing machine. I am still recovering from a broken foot, so I have to excercise without weight baring. The gym is fun, cause there are boys there.

ha ha. i really hate working out, but to stay in shape i like to do fun things. i play ball with my friends when schedules (and weather) permit, or when i am all alone, i like to swim (easy on the joints and fun too!) and ride my bike. riding the bike though i don't even think of as excersize... it's more like sightseeing while wearing goofy looking gear. i'm a believer in making things fun, so i try to do that with health too.

As for myself, I've just started working out again. I fell off of a horse and recracked the same spot on my hipbone, so taking it easy. I do my first workout in the morning, on the elliptical for 30minutes-1hour at a pretty good pace. I like using the program that changes it up so that I'm not focused on the time.

Afterwards I go sit in the sauna at the gym for 15-30 minutes, which relaxes my muscles after the workout.

I spend my days working at a horse barn. I train horses, lift bales of hay, ride (you can get amazing legs this way!), and jog kids around on ponies.

At night I hop back on the elliptical at the gym, which is usually around 9-10pm at night. I stay on there for another half hour to hour, doing the pace changing excersize. If you make sure to use your arms and really get into the workout, then your abs, backside, and arms will tone naturally. I also do pushups and situps at night.

Pilates is my favorite, though, since I can still semi stretch at my young age. It also does a lot for your core, strengthening it rather quickly. That's the best way to lose inches if you combine it with walking/jogging/or elliptical work.

If you can spread your workout throughout the day, maybe going to the gym or walking at two different times in the day it keeps your metabolism going. You'll burn more calories and gain more endurance.

I do think people underestimate the importance of phyical activity/excercise 0 call it what you like. We know so much about food now, what not to eat, what to eat, when to eat and how much. There are 1001 diet foods out there, and yet still people are gaining.

I really do blame cars, computers and television for most of it. We have become incredibly lazy through the generations. Dieting is only a small part of the solution, increasing metabolism by keeping active for a period each day and (of course) sensible eating will fix any weight problem.

I bought a pedometer the other day. It's a good way to see just how lazy I have been when I don't go out the house.

One thing I am interested in hearing and knowing more about is 'size friendly' gyms/health centres in UK/USA. I'd love to go to somewhere like that, to go swimming and not feel like the only 300lb+ fat person there.

They have these lovely gyms and saunas in town, but none are really designed for the people who need to use them most.

I walk every morning for 30-60 minutes.. love being in nature.. helps to wear my walkman and headphones :)

I do various floor exercises and aerobics a few times a week also..I have had back problems for years, so there are certain things I cant do.. however.. I feel that ANY form of exercise is better then none at all.

Good luck to all of those losing and getting a healthy lifestyle...and to those who are quitting smoking. Taking charge of your life and making changes is always good :)

I just joined the YMCA (Village People song in my head!) and they watch my girl for the first 90 minutes for free while I work out. So it's good for her AND myself.

I plan on working up to the 1 hour cardio I used to do a few years back.

Beats working out at home where there aren't any people working out along side of you for that "competative" spirit!

But, the trick is to get motivated and diciplined to actually go there after work!

Also, I quit smoking a month ago! I was a 2 pack a day smoker for 10 years (off and on! didn't smoke when I was preggers) and now: although I do LIKE the smell of other peoples smoke (I know...gross), I can't actually take a puff cause it turns my stomach really badly when I inhale.

I take water aerobic classes which are great fun and very easy on the joints. I have just begun water walking/jogging classes which are more demanding but I am really loving those classes. I ride bike and try to walk everyday. If the weather is not cooperating I have a walking dvd that I use. And I am very fortunate that my job allows me to get up from my workstation and walk around my office area which is quite large so I try to do that several times during my workday.

No suprises but I don't actually have a workout routine. I know I should do as my weight gain over the years has been caused by lack of activity and good sensible food.

I believe walking and swimming to be the best ways to get fit. Whilst swimming is a bit 'awkward' to do if you're self conscious and supersize, walking isn't.

I do find I need a good reason to take time off and go for a walk for pleasure. When I do finally go out it's hard not to avoid visiting the shops. The best solution I've found is a dog. A pet dog needs 2 walks a day and you can't really take them in the shops with you. So lately I have been walking the family dog and no doubt lost 'some' weight. It does feel good once your out and about, and theres usually a nice park bench to sit on. It's just the first step that's hardest.